Baseball Guru
07-13-2003, 06:03 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=knight-royalsreportgeorgesenttoo&prov=knight&type=lgns
BOB DUTTON, The Kansas City Star
ARLINGTON, Texas - Left-hander Chris George is heading to Class AAA Omaha to correct the "kinks" he blamed for an earned-run average that had soared to 7.11 despite a staff-leading nine victories.
"It's not fun trying to fix things in the big leagues under the spotlight and having your every move documented," he said.
"It'll be good, because it's a little more laid-back down there. I'm going to make the most of it."
The Royals optioned George to Omaha before Friday's game at Texas, clearing roster space for right-hander Runelvys Hernandez, who made his first appearance in the majors since May 14.
"Wins are wins," general manager Allard Baird said. "But you know when you're pitching well and when you're not.
"It's been tough. I think the kid has put a lot of pressure on himself as of late."
George, 23, is 9-6 in 18 starts. But over his last three games, he allowed 20 runs, 21 hits and 13 walks in 15 innings. He said his demotion was not a surprise.
"I didn't feel like myself out there on the mound," George said. "The pressure was getting to me. I knew that every time I went out there that it was important that I threw well, or else this was going to happen.
"Now that it has (happened), it's like this is the worst-case scenario for me. That being said, it's not that bad. I still feel like they have a lot of confidence in me.
"It's just a matter of me going down there and pitching the way I know I can pitch."
Snyder tunes up
Right-hander Kyle Snyder moved closer to returning to the rotation Thursday by working two pain-free innings for the Royals' accelerated rookie team in the Arizona League.
"The first inning," he said, "I ran some deep counts and ran my pitch count up. The second inning, I was sharp. I threw 32 or 33 pitches in the game and finished up (his allotment of 50) in the bullpen."
Snyder allowed three hits and one run in his two innings. He struck out one and walked none. It was his first mound appearance since June 30.
Snyder is scheduled to make a five-inning rehab start next Wednesday for Class AA Wichita at Midland and then rejoin the Royals for a July 21 start against Oakland.
Temporary duty
Jeremy Affeldt spent Friday night on call in the Royals' bullpen and will do the same tonight and Sunday.
"I'm the lefty reliever," he said. "I did that last year, and I enjoyed that role."
The assignment is temporary. Affeldt pitched Wednesday and wouldn't get another start before next Thursday, at the earliest, because of the All-Star break.
"There is no reason to just let him sit back and rest for four days, and then have the All-Star break," manager Tony Pena said.
On deck
The Royals and Rangers continue their three-game series at 7:05 tonight at the Ballpark in Arlington. Right-hander Jose Lima, 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA, looks to continue his remarkable personal renaissance in a matchup against Texas righty Ismael Valdes, 7-5 and 6.14.
Lima is 1-3 with a 5.18 ERA In 11 career games against the Rangers. Valdes, who has lost three of his last four starts, is 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA in seven career games against the Royals.
BOB DUTTON, The Kansas City Star
ARLINGTON, Texas - Left-hander Chris George is heading to Class AAA Omaha to correct the "kinks" he blamed for an earned-run average that had soared to 7.11 despite a staff-leading nine victories.
"It's not fun trying to fix things in the big leagues under the spotlight and having your every move documented," he said.
"It'll be good, because it's a little more laid-back down there. I'm going to make the most of it."
The Royals optioned George to Omaha before Friday's game at Texas, clearing roster space for right-hander Runelvys Hernandez, who made his first appearance in the majors since May 14.
"Wins are wins," general manager Allard Baird said. "But you know when you're pitching well and when you're not.
"It's been tough. I think the kid has put a lot of pressure on himself as of late."
George, 23, is 9-6 in 18 starts. But over his last three games, he allowed 20 runs, 21 hits and 13 walks in 15 innings. He said his demotion was not a surprise.
"I didn't feel like myself out there on the mound," George said. "The pressure was getting to me. I knew that every time I went out there that it was important that I threw well, or else this was going to happen.
"Now that it has (happened), it's like this is the worst-case scenario for me. That being said, it's not that bad. I still feel like they have a lot of confidence in me.
"It's just a matter of me going down there and pitching the way I know I can pitch."
Snyder tunes up
Right-hander Kyle Snyder moved closer to returning to the rotation Thursday by working two pain-free innings for the Royals' accelerated rookie team in the Arizona League.
"The first inning," he said, "I ran some deep counts and ran my pitch count up. The second inning, I was sharp. I threw 32 or 33 pitches in the game and finished up (his allotment of 50) in the bullpen."
Snyder allowed three hits and one run in his two innings. He struck out one and walked none. It was his first mound appearance since June 30.
Snyder is scheduled to make a five-inning rehab start next Wednesday for Class AA Wichita at Midland and then rejoin the Royals for a July 21 start against Oakland.
Temporary duty
Jeremy Affeldt spent Friday night on call in the Royals' bullpen and will do the same tonight and Sunday.
"I'm the lefty reliever," he said. "I did that last year, and I enjoyed that role."
The assignment is temporary. Affeldt pitched Wednesday and wouldn't get another start before next Thursday, at the earliest, because of the All-Star break.
"There is no reason to just let him sit back and rest for four days, and then have the All-Star break," manager Tony Pena said.
On deck
The Royals and Rangers continue their three-game series at 7:05 tonight at the Ballpark in Arlington. Right-hander Jose Lima, 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA, looks to continue his remarkable personal renaissance in a matchup against Texas righty Ismael Valdes, 7-5 and 6.14.
Lima is 1-3 with a 5.18 ERA In 11 career games against the Rangers. Valdes, who has lost three of his last four starts, is 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA in seven career games against the Royals.